anyone been here lately? What is going on over there? I usually go over and look for new levels to play. Lately all the new levels posted have no screenshots. How am I to tell what these levels are or if they are even worth downloading if they don't have screenshots?? Is this something new that pcgamemods is doing to save bandwidth or something? Or do a lot of new mappers simply not know to include screenies. I know it's not entirely right to totally judge something from a screeny, but they do say a lot about the quality of something. How am I to know that a level is'nt just a plain box or something dumb like that if I can't see a preview? Well, whatever the reason for this, I really think it sucks.

Neverhoodian

11-21-2003, 03:35 PM

Ever since pcgamemods gave their site its "new look," the submission requirements have become more lax. Submissions no longer need screenshots to be posted. Unfortunately, this means that you have to take the author's word for it and hope for the best if you download something. Because of this, I usually wait until it gets a score and I read some comments from others before considering to download files.

My guess is that authors don't post screenies for a number of reasons. They don't know about the benefits of screenshots, don't know how to post screenshots, excitedly try to submit their file as soon as possible, (thereby bypassing posting screenshots) or simply don't care and/or can't be bothered. Just grin and bear it, as it's probably not going to change any time soon, I'm afraid.

kmd

11-21-2003, 04:15 PM

well pcgamemods.com get about a trillion more files a day than this site does in a week, and lots have been great, so i love that site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Imperial_thug

11-21-2003, 04:28 PM

Neverhoodian wrote:

I usually wait until it gets a score and I read some comments from others before considering to download files

What sucks about the whole scoring thing is really depends on how many ppl actually vote. If only one person votes on a file, and they give it a 9.0, then the file gets a score of 9.0. What if that one person has really bad taste?

kmd

11-21-2003, 05:03 PM

it takes 3 peoples score to see a vote result!

Emon

11-21-2003, 08:18 PM

That's still not accurate. What if a great mod gets two nines, and one zero, because someone thought it was funny to vote a zero?

kmd

11-21-2003, 10:11 PM

there si no zero, and what of the system here? lol, that site is the best as far as mods are conserned, they so much more

Zappa_0

11-21-2003, 11:31 PM

I like the site and all, but there admins are beginning to be somewhat corrupt. They have deleted alot of peoples files, because they dont them. And im not the only one that this has happened to. And im not trying to stur up trouble, just presenting the facts.

wassup

11-22-2003, 01:40 AM

Go to JK3Files.com (www.jk3files.com). Though only thing is FireFront is sometimes really slow...

kmd

11-22-2003, 03:55 AM

or dont go there, they have fewer files than this site lol...the admins only delete multiple mods by the same person, releasing them over and over, or maybe a terrible mod, becuase it just junks up the place.....they arnt that corrupt, but every one goes off the rocker now and again

Kurgan

11-22-2003, 04:53 AM

Their desire to get more files is admirable.

Compare their submission requirements (very light, almost non-existent, judging by some posts) to the (rather strict) ones we have at LucasFiles.com.

Quantity or Quality?

Anyway, nothing against them, I visit their site a lot as well, and I too am annoyed when all we get is a one sentence description (usually full of misspellings, grammatical errors, etc) that tells almost nothing about the mod, no screenshots, etc.

Plus you see people submit the same file multiple times, or say "oops I submitted the wrong file" or "this version works, the last one didn't at all because I forgot to fix X, Y, Z."

Mistakes happen but it could be a lot cleaner. I say talk to whomever is in charge of the site and give them your feedback on how to improve.

The worst that could happen is they'd ignore you. But if they care what the public thinks, enough complaints could get them to change their policy.

Zappa_0

11-22-2003, 02:24 PM

KMD

I have seen them delete alot of good files on PCGM. The only reason they take them off is simply they dont like the files. And you cant tell me thats not corrupt.

Kurgan

Send complants to Sergio, very funny. Sergio has nothing to do with the site anymore. Sergio is off somewhere doing otherthings besides running a file server. When he is there hes doing other things for rest of the gaming files. Yea people who submit there work should make sure that it is finished and has no bugs before adding it to the site. Thats there own fault, not fully testing there work.

kmd

11-22-2003, 02:35 PM

i can to tell you its not corrupt, just did!:p any way, they have way more good files that i have gotten than bad, 80% of the keep only mods that i have, meaning they are so good i dont just play with them, and delete them, i keep them forever, are on pcgamemods, and this site has plenty of crummy files, the only file i have gotten from here, thats any good, that didnt come out on pcgamemods first, was the voice for jaden!!

Kurgan

11-22-2003, 03:29 PM

Send complants to Sergio, very funny. Sergio has nothing to do with the site anymore. Sergio is off somewhere doing otherthings besides running a file server. When he is there hes doing other things for rest of the gaming files.

Well, need it be said, but by having such lax rules for their files, they are really encouraging this sort of thing... thus the blame can be laid squarely on the webmaster(s) of pcgamemods.com who made that decision.

Massassi.net isn't a big JA site (yet) but in terms of JK2 and the rest of the games in the series, it puts both sites utterly to shame. And it still has always had strict rules (not as strict as LF, but still).

Sorry.

Wudan

11-22-2003, 09:24 PM

Well, most mods aren't worth the download. That's why review sites are the place to go to find out what's worth the download.

kmd

11-23-2003, 01:46 AM

well right now it doesnt work for me, does it for you?

shukrallah

11-23-2003, 02:36 AM

Originally posted by Zappa_0

Send complants to Sergio, very funny. Sergio has nothing to do with the site anymore. Sergio is off somewhere doing otherthings besides running a file server. When he is there hes doing other things for rest of the gaming files. Yea people who submit there work should make sure that it is finished and has no bugs before adding it to the site. Thats there own fault, not fully testing there work.

Sergio used to check the files.... he checked mine, and found there was a missing texture... oh well. that was a long time ago.

The reason pcgamemods.com gets more files up faster and has more in general is because they allow you to upload your files... i wish www.jk2files.com would allow this... its easier for the person submiting.

kmd

11-23-2003, 03:36 AM

but is the site working for you? its down for me

Zappa_0

11-23-2003, 04:29 AM

Its down for me also. PCGM would be nicer if they got some people there that really cares and not have people who keep their noses in the air all the time.

Neverhoodian

11-23-2003, 05:08 AM

Yeah, the site's down for me too last time I checked. At least it's not just me who's having problems.

DarkLord60

11-23-2003, 06:49 AM

I think its safe to say that they are either experiencing troubles or upgrading site.

Kurgan

11-23-2003, 08:36 AM

The reason pcgamemods.com gets more files up faster and has more in general is because they allow you to upload your files... i wish www.jk2files.com would allow this... its easier for the person submiting.

Exactly so, but the downside is that without moderation you also have a lot of (for lack of a better term) "crap" and mess (people posting the same file multiple times, misspellings/grammatical errors in descriptions, lack of screenshots or adequate descriptions, copy-cat mod stealing, uploading the wrong files or "broken" versions), etc.

Again, like I said, it's Quantity vs. Quality. In a very short time though, they're going to have the most quantity, but the least quality, if this keeps up. ; p

As to the server issues, I would expect a site with that much file activity (both uploading and downloading) is bound to have bandwidth problems and periodic downtime. It just depends on how good their servers are and how well they can handle the load. That's another reason why they should moderate the postings, to filter out the crap that may be slowing the site down for little added benefit.

The owner(s) of that site can run it how they choose, but it just seems like a more logical way to do things to me...

shukrallah

11-23-2003, 04:57 PM

Well, i guess it used to be moderated, because like i said, they found 1 missing texture in my map, i didnt notice because it was on my computer, but not in the .pk3 file. He also took several screenshots for me... i was surprised that he took so many, i guess it depends on the size of the map, and whats in it...

fome

11-23-2003, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by Zappa_0
Its down for me also. PCGM would be nicer if they got some people there that really cares and not have people who keep their noses in the air all the time.

taken the words right out of my mouth

yolkboy

11-24-2003, 01:32 AM

Originally posted by Kurgan
Again, like I said, it's Quantity vs. Quality. In a very short time though, they're going to have the most quantity, but the least quality, if this keeps up. ; p
Wow, its been a while since I posted. Anyways, I've been going to PC game mods since the JO days and sadly to say that it has gone "down hill". By this it's like what Kurgan said. There are many more files now on the server but the quality of them aren't the best. In the begining, a file earned it's score because it was good. Now people rate low so their map, model, etc... is higher up on the rating list. Also with clan submissions, clan members just rate high because the person who made it is in their clan. One way to filter out the "good stuff" is to read the comments that people post about the map, mod, etc... Also look at some of the previous submissions from that author and the comments made. But, if you are feeling "lucky" download the file. It may turn out to be really good. Then you can write a comment on it and tell everyone else about it ;)

Chuahtemoc

11-24-2003, 01:41 AM

Originally posted by Kurgan

Again, like I said, it's Quantity vs. Quality. In a very short time though, they're going to have the most quantity, but the least quality, if this keeps up. ; p

well said.

i think they've already let themselves slide too far. someday the site will just die bc they dont get enough hits, and, like plenty of websites out there, willl either be locked into an existence of sublime suckiness or will be killed. :P they deserve it, i suppose, for keeping such lax rules about submitting shiz into the site. what can ya do? :confused: new webmasters are definitely needed.

Shadow_stone00

11-24-2003, 01:47 AM

dunno if this happens to anyone (btw the site is down now...)
but when the site was up, the first page loaded fine but to me non of links work, then lets say theres a link to it like www.pcgamemods.com/5/ it would say action canceled....

kmd

11-24-2003, 02:30 AM

yeah its still down :( well, the point is, there are many a bogus crap happy files on that site, but the best mods i have every seen come from there as well, if you are willing tio weed through the bad ones, you may just find a real treasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!! such as, "Shakeren Dreams" "Vally of the Kings" and a few others that are top notch, and only there, sith speeder vehicle and a few other came there first, but can now be found at jk2files.com.....man it is still broken, i hope they get it up fast

Kurgan

11-24-2003, 07:33 PM

I just tried the site recently today (1 pm) and it works fine now.

It was down for at least a day & a half.

Lot of congestion apparently, the forums and some of the sites on THIS network were slow/down too...

Shadow_stone00

11-24-2003, 10:20 PM

hmm
the homepage loads fine for me but none of the links work:confused:

kmd

11-25-2003, 01:02 AM

there is a forum on pcgamemods.com?

shukrallah

11-25-2003, 01:38 AM

i like pcgamemods.com format... its good... and its obvious that jk2files doesnt put files up fast enough, the 2 main sites now are pcgamemods, and jk2files... then theres lucasfiles, and i think jediknight.net but im not sure if they get as many files... pcgamemods cant die :( they have the biggest collection of JKII maps on the web, and possibly JA maps too...

kmd

11-25-2003, 01:48 AM

no one saud it was going to die, infact they udated the server, thats why it was down

ChangKhan[RAVEN]

11-25-2003, 11:03 PM

I wish the authors that put their stuff up there also put it up here (or, at least, on jk2files.com)... most of the files I've tried to D/L from pcgamemods.com are either bad files or the links just don't work... and I can't find those files at jediknight.net or jk2files.com... wtf?

Chuahtemoc

11-25-2003, 11:27 PM

i think they're having bandwidth problems. I don't think they keep up maintainence, i mean, like deleting ancient files that have like 1 download. those files are worthless, and even if they do get dl'd, nobody uses em lol

shukrallah

11-25-2003, 11:31 PM

yeah, i noticed that too ChangKhan, i tried to download some files once and the download kept cutting off... the bad thing was, it was like a 20 MB download, on my 56k :( so i just gave up...

Chuahtemoc

11-25-2003, 11:33 PM

56k tends to do that. and 20mb is a pretty big file, especially since pcgamemods is having probs, you should try somewhere a bit more stable to dl such a big file from.

www.jk3files.com

or the jediknight.net files section is good too. high quality stuff, here. :)

ninja

11-26-2003, 07:10 AM

not good at all. at this rate i would only download maps from people i've downloaded before. everyone has their preference. i guess i would have to go to the othe places that i normally go to to see screen shots. yes i've seen the new site and to be honest i dont go there anymore for maps. i just look to see if any new models have been made.

ninja

11-28-2003, 12:23 AM

pcgamemodes should put the screen shots back on. i dont wanna download something i cant see.

i decided to stop downloading from there when i had a bad experience. before it was great i got to see the screen shots of the skins and models.

then it happend... i saw something with a really cool catchy name, i said "wheres the pic? oh well its sounds cool i'll download it." like an idiot i did it anyway. what a complete waste of my time. sure, why should PCGM's care what i say, i bet you they dont get as much downloads as they used to. i dont care what they say.

because you would be a total ding dong head to do so. unless the models are made by people i've downloaded from before then yes i will. thats because i trust i would be satisfied with it even if its not their greatest works.

pcgamemods :blaze6:

Kengo

11-28-2003, 12:50 AM

Originally posted by Kurgan
Exactly so, but the downside is that without moderation you also have a lot of (for lack of a better term) "crap" and mess (people posting the same file multiple times, misspellings/grammatical errors in descriptions, lack of screenshots or adequate descriptions, copy-cat mod stealing, uploading the wrong files or "broken" versions), etc.

Just to throw my rather biased...2 cents into the...fire...err, mixed metaphors? Anyway - the problem is, when moderators DO delete such files, they get complaints and even yes, accusations of being 'corrupt'. No win situation anyone?

Now I'm back on the staff (thanks Sergio :)) there I can hopefully post a few screenshots up, at least of the worthwhile stuff to give an idea of their worth. Thats also the idea behind the staff picks of course, to seperate the wheat from the chaff a bit more.

Personally I think that the upload system offers editors a great opportunity to get their stuff into the public domain as quickly and efficiently as possible, as an editor myself I absolutely love this feature. However, its always gonna get abused and I guess shall take work to optomise.

On a completely different tack Kurgan, being as file servers in general are being mentioned, theres something I'd love to sort out about LucasFiles. I really love the LF network, they helped me out a lot when I got started and have done so ever since, you guys are great :) The one thing that bothers me is on the amazingly long rules stuff for Lucasfiles, if you read the small print it seems to say that LF can do anything they want with your file or any part of it. Now because some of Occupation 2 for example is work by other authors which I requested, I didn't feel I could justify sending it in because of these rules. I'm not saying that *IS* what the small print means so please no one take my post as being some statement of fact, its just to me thats what it seemed to mean, and I'd really like to get its meaning clarified. Does it say LF can use any part of a file for anything they want, and essentially the author has no copyright over it?

razorace

11-28-2003, 01:47 AM

Right now, pcgamemods.com is my fav of the group.

massassi.net is slow to post and needs a organization update. It's really only set up for JK1.

lucasfiles.com has a terrible layout. You only see the latest/most popular files for all the files on the network. And guess what....most of the files are totally not related to JKA or JK2.

jk3files.com is very, very slow to post, have a history of shady issues, and their reviews aren't done with any real care.